nd
(From Office of Emmett J. Scott, 						[1917]
Special Assistant to the Secretary 					For Release October 24.
of War)

				THE COLORED TROOPS

     Complete Stories of Negro's Achievements on Battle Front Will be Appreciated by 
          White and Black Alike-No Color Line in Record of Service to The Flag.

                                 --------------------

		Washington, D.C., October 24---Under the caption of "The Colored 

     Troops," the Washington Evening Star, one of the foremost newspapers of the 

     country, carried in a recent issue an editorial, the full text of which is 

     given below.

		WASHINGTON EVENING STAR ON "THE COLORED TROOPS."

		?

	"This announcement is made:

	" ' Complying with the request of the recent conference of colored editors,
    the committee on public information has designated a colored man, Ralph W.
    Tyler of Columbus, Ohio, former auditor for the Navy Department, as a regularly
    commissioned war correspondent, to specialize on the conditions surrounding the 
    colored troops in France and to make daily reports of the activities and en-
    gagements in  which the colored soldiers are prominent.  He will be on the staff
    of Gen. Pershing, commander-in-chief of the American expeditionary forces over-
    seas.  Every facility has been provided for the prompt and accurate gathering of 
    all facts that may be of interest to the colored people.

	"A step in every way commendable.  The bearing of the colored troops abroad 
    has not been overlooked, or minimized, in the news.  On the contrary, it has
    been praised.  Order in camp, diligence in the discharge of routine, and
    bravery in battle have all been mentioned.

	"Nevertheless, reports in future on this subject will be of greater inter-
    est to the colored people of America because of the knowledge that they bear 
    the additional impress of one of their number - a man qualified for the work,
    and certified to the authorities abroad by the authorities at home.

	"And of greater interest also to the white people, who have not failed to
    note and appreciate the responses of the colored people to the calls of the war.
    No color line has run in that matter.  According to their numbers and ability,
    the colored people have done well.  They have offered themselves freely for
    Army service; and Secretary McAdoo has publicly complimented them for their
    activities in behalf of the liberty loans.

	"The war is growing, and American troops, white and colored, are crossing
    the Atlantic in increasing force steadily.  War news has the right of way in all
    American newspapers and is read by everybody.  Trained men are busy collecting
    it.  All war features are covered by them.  All facilities for doing their work
    are afforded by the military authorities.  It is one of the most difficult and
    comprehensive tasks ever undertaken by modern journalism.

	"While the war lasts, therefore, the task should continue to be executed
    with due consideration for all printable details, and due appreciation of the
    performances of all participants.  Americans on the firing lines are described
    as doing their best, and are eulogized by their European allies, not only for
    courage but competency.  Hence, the more complete the stories that come to us
    about what the American troops abroad are doing, and how standing the strain of
    the conflict, the better the reading public - the whole public of both colors
    and all conditions - will be served."

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Charles Young Collection

"The Colored Troops" from Office of Emmet J. Scott, Special Assistant to the Secretary of War